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FDJ: Conclusion of the European Commission’s investigation

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FDJ takes note of the European Commission’s decision concluding that no State aid was granted to FDJ during its privatisation and that the equalisation payment should be re-evaluated from €380 million to €477 million, i.e. an additional sum of €97 million.

This decision concludes the formal investigation that the European Commission opened on 26 July 2021 to determine whether the €380 million sum that FDJ paid to secure its exclusive rights to operate point-of-sale sports betting and the lottery for a 25-year term, was appropriate.

FDJ welcomes the closure of this investigation and the European Commission’s confirmation, in line with the French Conseil d’Etat’s decision of 14 April 2023, that the legal framework adopted when the Group was privatised was robust.

FDJ has also taken note of the additional equalisation amount, valued by the European Commission at €97 million. The equalisation payment re-evaluated at €477 million is within the range initially established by the French Commission des participations et des transferts  in its opinion no. 2019-A.C.-1 of 7 October 2019.

 Impact on net profit and on the calculation of the dividend per share

This additional equalisation payment is recognised as an intangible asset – “exclusive operating rights”, in the same way as the initial amount of €380 million. As such, it will be amortised over 25 years starting on 23 May 2019, which is the effective date of the Pacte Law no. 2019-486.

FDJ Group announces that it will base its future dividend payments, beginning with those relating to its results for the 2024 financial year, on the adjusted net profit.

This adjusted net profit reflects FDJ’s actual economic performance and allows the Group to monitor and compare its performance against its competitors. It is based on the consolidated net profit restated for the following items:

  • In 2024:
    • the additional amortisation over the 2019-2023 period recognised under exclusive rights in France amounting to €17.9 million.
    • The non-cash impact of the currency hedge relating to the acquisition of Kindred Group, which is recognised under financial result.
  • Depreciation and amortisation of intangible and tangible assets recognised or revalued when allocating the purchase price of business combinations.
  • And changes in tax resulting from these items.

Note that total amortisation of exclusive operating rights will amount to €37.0 million in 2024 and €19.1 million in 2025 after €15.2 million in 2023.

FDJ Group recalls that since 10 May and the French Court of Cassation’s ruling in favour of the FDJ Group in its dispute with Soficoma, which enabled it to cancel 3% of its share capital, the Group’s share capital now stands at 185,270,000 shares.

The post FDJ: Conclusion of the European Commission’s investigation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Brais Pena Chief Strategy Officer at Easygo

Stake Goes Live in Denmark Following Five-Year Licence Approval

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Stake, the largest online casino and sportsbook globally, today proclaims its official entry into Denmark after obtaining a five-year online casino and sports betting license. The shift reinforces Stake’s enduring dedication to enhancing its global growth strategy.

Denmark is often seen as a regulatory success within the European online gambling scene, and Stake has now introduced its flagship, internationally recognized product to the Danish market. Players will unlock access to Stake’s top-tier casino and sportsbook, showcasing exceptional games, cutting-edge technology, and an exceptional user experience, all provided with a strong local emphasis.

Starting 1 March 2026, Stake Denmark will set up its new headquarters at Parken Stadium, the national football stadium of Denmark and the home ground for FC Copenhagen.

Peter Eugen Clausen, Managing Director at Stake Denmark, said: “Denmark has one of the most well-regulated and competitive gaming markets in Europe, and that’s exactly what makes it so exciting. With Stake’s arrival, Danish players can expect a fresh, world-class experience backed by global scale and strong local focus. We’re raising the bar in terms of product, transparency, and entertainment, and I believe increased competition from brands like Stake will only drive the market forward in a positive way.”

Brais Pena, Chief Strategy Officer at Easygo, the technology company behind Stake, said: “Denmark marks our entry into the Nordics and represents a clear win in one of Europe’s most mature and high-value markets. With each new market, our momentum continues to build as we deliver on our global expansion strategy.”

Since its inception in 2017, Stake has positioned itself as the top betting and gaming brand globally by continually presenting advanced technology and novel gaming experiences for players around the globe. Upon entering Denmark, Stake maintains its dedication to player safety and responsible gaming, guaranteeing that gambling stays enjoyable, secure, and entertaining by providing extensive tools and resources that assist customers in comprehending and monitoring their gambling behavior.

The post Stake Goes Live in Denmark Following Five-Year Licence Approval appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Big Daddy Gaming

Big Daddy Gaming® Expands European Footprint After MGA Licence Approval

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New achievement bolsters regulatory framework as studio speeds up European expansion.

Innovative slots studio Big Daddy Gaming® has obtained a B2B supplier license from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), representing a significant advancement in the studio’s plan to establish a solid, regulation-focused presence in Europe’s leading markets.

This accreditation allows Big Daddy Gaming to provide its expanding range of slot titles to MGA-licensed operators, greatly increasing the studio’s potential market and aiding its continuous commercial rollout in regulated territories.

The endorsement comes after Big Daddy Gaming’s recent attainment of regulatory approval from the Swedish Gambling Authority. This occurs during a time of significant early progress for the newly established studio, with multiple partnerships already in place with well-known operators and aggregators, highlighting the provider’s dedication to fostering long-lasting relationships with top-tier brands.

As a vital element of Big Daddy Gaming’s strategy for market entry, the studio has made certain that its technology, games, and operational procedures comply with one of Europe’s most stringent regulators.

The license further aids the ongoing launch of Big Daddy Gaming’s initial games, which are centered on the studio’s fundamental creative principle of Reel Fun. Real Value., merging recognizable, player-friendly features with a comedic angle, aimed at achieving high engagement and evident commercial success for operators.

The MGA approval signifies a crucial point in Big Daddy Gaming’s early business path, solidifying its role as a new studio dedicated to regulation, dependability, and sustainable growth while it broadens its presence in Europe’s regulated markets.

Erland Hellström, CEO at Big Daddy Gaming®, said: “Securing our MGA licence is an important step for us as we continue to build Big Daddy Gaming® with regulation at the forefront. From day one, our focus has been on creating a studio that operators can trust, both creatively and operationally.

“Malta is one of the most respected regulatory environments in the industry, and achieving this approval reflects the work our team has put into building compliant, market-ready slots. Combined with our recent progress in Sweden, it gives us a strong platform to continue scaling our content with confidence.”

The post Big Daddy Gaming® Expands European Footprint After MGA Licence Approval appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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NSW: Hospitality and Racing Strategy 2026-28 and Regulatory Priorities 2026

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Liquor & Gaming NSW has published the Hospitality and Racing Strategy 2026-28, setting a clear path for reducing harm, supporting responsible industry growth and meeting evolving community expectations. The Strategy outlines Hospitality and Racing’s vision, regulatory posture and strategic objectives.

It outlines three strategic objectives which will guide the work to support communities, individuals and the industry. The first is targeted harm reduction, using better data, education and engagement to focus on the areas where we can make the biggest difference.

The second is outcome‑focused, responsive regulation, by making use of streamlined, place‑based and community‑informed approaches that deliver meaningful, real-world outcomes.

Third is promoting modern tools, skilled teams and smart decisions, investing in its capability, improving how it uses data and supporting consistent decision making across hospitality and racing.

Regulatory Priorities 2026

Alongside the new strategy, Liquor & Gaming NSW has also issued its Regulatory Priorities 2026. This sets out where the department will be focusing its regulatory attention over course of the year. It provides transparency on Liquor & Gaming’s forward regulatory agenda and gives the industry the opportunity to proactively engage about the issues they are concerned about.

The post NSW: Hospitality and Racing Strategy 2026-28 and Regulatory Priorities 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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